This local recipe has been passed around Thailand’s social circles. To create the shampoo, grate and squeeze a coconut to get the milk. Follow by heating the milk on the stove until the oil separates. Then spoon out the oil and let it cool before applying it to the hair just as with shampoo. It will add moisture, softness, and shine to the hair.

2) Scalp Focus – Japan

The belief among Japanese women is that beautifully healthy hair begins at the roots. Therefore according to Japan-born stylist Takamichi Saeki – hair salon owner in New York, women in Japan will use treatments to exfoliate and deeply cleanse their scalps repeatedly during the week or before every blow-dry and styling. You can acquire effective over-the-shelf exfoliating scalp products or create some at home using sugar and olive oil blended together until it creates a paste. One brand recommended by Saeki are the Nigelle LX products. He comments that they are; “very popular because they are gentle yet effective.”

3) Eucalyptus Treatment from Australia

You’ve heard of supermodel Elle Macpherson, right? Definitely check out the Aussie’s long, and glowing hair. Similar to Elle, many Australian women maintain glistening and polished hair by massaging a slight amount of eucalyptus oil into their scalp as an overnight treatment. This works to supply moisture and shine, and promotes growth.

4) Castor Oil Mixture – Egypt

In Cairo, a favorite hair treatment is castor oil mixed with crushed garlic. Also adding a drop of lavender essential oil to the combination is beneficial when applied to dry hair overnight. Follow-up by rinsing it out in the morning to acquire lush, hydrated hair.

5) Whirl Your Hair Straight – Africa

Prior to chemical relaxers and flat-irons, South African women used a process known as whirling to straighten their strands. This was where they would wrap wet hair tightly around the scalp then place a stocking over the head to hold it in place. Following this they used a blow-dryer to remove 80% of the moisture. The next step was to remove the stocking and wrap the hair in the other direction. Now they would dry the hair completely, take the stocking off, and brush the hair. The result was dead straight hair.

6) Make Your Conditioner Sweet – Romania

It is strongly believed by stylist in Romania that honey boosts highlight-hair color. It is recommended to add 1 tbsp of honey to your favorite conditioner and Voila!—it will make highlights Glow!

OK, maybe you’ve watched endless ONYC® Kinky Curly Weave videos on YouTube, saw countless pictures on Facebook, Twitter or blog with everyone rocking ONYC® Kinky Curl and they all seem to be in love with it. Now you want to join the ONYC® Kinky Curly Weave bandwagon…. While we welcome you aboard, slow down and read below before proceeding! Continue Reading

Venturing to the Beauty supply store or pharmacy and scouring the isles for just the right hair products to care for your hair is how most of us secure that beauty item that we believe is best suited to for our specific hair type. However, more and more it is being revealed – and encouraged – that our pantry at home is where we can find those valued components which will enhance our hair care.

Use the (raw) egg. Did you know that the yolk of the egg is rich in fats and proteins which work to naturally moisturize? As for white of the egg, it possesses bacteria-eating enzymes which removes unwanted oils.

How To Use:

For normal hair, use the entire egg to condition hair.

For oily hair, use egg whites only to treat oily hair.

For dry-brittle hair use, egg yolks only to moisturize dry.

Use 1/2 cup of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair. If there isn’t enough egg to cover the entire scalp and hair, just break another one.

Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from “cooking”) and shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair. “When the liquid evaporates, the remaining protein residue (from the wheat, malt or hops) continues to strengthen and structure hair,” says Belkin. Treatments can be applied every other week.

5) For dry or sun-damaged hair

For whatever damage has been placed on your hair – whether from the sun, flat iron or even hard water – Honey works to trap moisture.

You can also add 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application.

or extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 tablespoons of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack.

Treatment can be applied once a month.

6) For oily or greasy hair

With the right amount of caution and delicacy, cornmeal or cornstarch will remove excess oils from the hair.

How To Use:

Pour 1 tablespoon cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it all.

After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.

7) For frizzy hair

Avocado has been toted as a “cure-all” these days, and rightly so. Its contains oils, which are not heavy, but mimic our own natural skin secretions. The proteins contained in this fruit contain outstanding nutrients for smoothing and taming uncontrollable frizz.

How To Use:

Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair.

Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water.

Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 tablespoons of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise.

Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

8) For residue-ridden hair

Get that baking soda out of the refrigerator. This product is made up of Sodium bicarbonate which basically disintegrates all acidity.

How To Use:

Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons baking soda with small amounts of water until a thick paste forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with water, then shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

We hope that this information was helpful as well as useful. It’s all about treating your hair with some Tender-Loving-Care, and nature is waiting to take you there.

Benefits of Protein Hair Care

There has been much debate about Protein Hair Treatments versus Non-Protein Hair Treatments. One side of the debate strongly believes that Protein treatments are the “end-all-and-be-all” of hair care while one the opposing team, Non-Protein Treatments are championed as the premiere method.

While not taking any sides, in particular, we would like to offer some information to better guide you to the paramount hair care for you.

Our hair is conceived of almost 91% protein as long chains of amino acids. As the cells in your hair develop, they fill up with a fibrous protein called – get this – keratin. The keratin found in the hair is an insoluble protein called “hard” keratin as it does not dissolve in water, and is pretty irrepressible.

As the hair is mainly comprised of protein, it is logical that if your hair became protein deficient at any time, just a protein treatment could help remedy the problem – even if only temporarily.

Conditioning with protein can be advantageous in almost anyone’s regimen whether natural or relaxed. For relaxed hair, it maybe even more beneficial to use a protein conditioner. Relaxer chemicals tend to break down the bonds in your hair and thus makes it imperative to use a protein conditioner to make the hair stronger.

Protein offers these additional perks:

Strengthens dry, brittle hair.

Keeps hair strong prior to relaxer application and afterwards.

Administers to damage from heat styling.

Temporarily repairs split ends.

Protein conditioning treatments drill-down deep into the hair-shaft to deter hair breakage. The protein attaches to your hair in the areas that are weak to build up the strength in the hair. The protein also hardens the cuticle layer and puts a protective barrier around the weakened hair. It re-structures your hair for shine and growth.

Overuse

Despite the fantastic functions of protein to the hair, it is critical not to overuse this product on your locks. For example, do not use protein treatments like you would your regular hair conditioners – at every hair wash. Too many protein treatments to the the hair-shaft can actually cause breakage.

Now, there are various types of protein conditioning treatments: the hardcore re-constructors, deep penetrating conditioners or light protein treatments, and protein paks. Treatments such as the hardcore re-constructors and even the deep penetrating conditioners can be applied by a professional stylists if you’re not comfortable with doing it yourself. The lighter treatments can be easily administered domestically.

How Often Should You Use a Protein Conditioner?

Application of Protein Conditioners is all dependent on the state and texture of your hair. With relaxed hair it is recommended to do a treatment at least once a month but more preferably every other week. You should also apply one within two weeks of relaxing your hair. For natural hair, you can use a treatment every month or every 2 months depending upon the condition of your hair. Now natural hair Ladies, if you do feel there is a need for it more frequently as a result of the damage, still be cautious regarding overuse.

WARNING: Only use a hardcore treatments if you’re experiencing severe breakage and ensure to follow the instructions for use, precisely. Typically, it only takes one treatment.

Protein Sensitivity and Non-Protein Hair Treatments

So are you of the belief that Protein treatments do not work for you or that your hair is Protein Sensitive? Well let’s examine this a little further.

Often times individuals are of the opinion that their hair is Protein Sensitive when in fact they have exercised overuse or mis-use of Protein treatments. When following a particular Protein treatment it is integral to be careful to follow the instructions specifically. It is also essential to follow-up with a moisturizing conditioner to obtain the best results possible. If not, you will achieve the exact results that you are trying to protect the hair from.

It should be noted that Protein conditioners have one fundamental responsibility and that is to Build-Up Your Hairthrough temporary reconstruction. When used properly, the protein molecules in a deep conditioner will bind to the hair and strengthen it. Will there be a tendency for your hair to feel hard? Yes! But do not panic. It is supposed to.

Protein should not be contained in your Serum, Leave-in Conditioner, Curl Enhancer, Hair Voluminous spray etc. Protein should ONLY be part of a deep conditioning treatment that you use to strengthen your hair. Leave In Conditioners, Serums, Curl Enhancers etc, should NOT contain protein. Why? Because protein should only be used with heat as part of a treatment to strengthen the hair.

It is advisable that whether or not you’re currently experiencing hair damage that protein treatments should be a consistent part of your hair care routine. Furthermore, remember that how you treat your hair after a protein treatment is just as important, if not more.

Happy Hair Care!

As the New Year approaches we often find ourselves making a lists of objectives to be accomplished. One thing that tends to pop-up on that list is our health, wellness and fitness plans.

Surprisingly enough, it has been reported that a respectable percentage of women today have chosen to forego exercise for the sake of their hair-do. ….Yep, that’s right!

Specifically, research informs that 2 out of 5 African American women neglect cardiovascular activity as a result of trepidation over their hair.

At this time, it is imperative to be mindful about such a dilemma with the increasing number of obesity, diabetes, hypertension etc within the community.

This research came about due to some introspection by Dr. Amy McMichael – dermatologist at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She asked herself; “As an African-American woman, I have that problem, and my friends have that problem. So I wondered if my patients had that problem.”

Dr. McMichael and her colleagues launched an investigation and divulged their findings in the Archives of Dermatology over the past week. The researchers surveyed 103 African-American women who visited the Wake Forest University in October 2007. They discovered that the majority of women were exercising below the recommended 150 minutes a week, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The women voiced that hair care can be strenuous and costly, which is a hindrance to working-out on a consistent basis.

So what is the method, to remedy this, in order to achieve healthy bodies together with fantastic hair? We’re glad that you asked. Below are some tips to assist with taking great care of our hair while doing the same for our bodies….

To ensure that attending to your hair is not a burden following exercise, it is helpful to create a Smooth & Speedy Regiment. In the same time that it takes for a shower after a work-out, one can clean the hair quickly but efficiently. It is also important to consider that, the scalp behaves like the skin on the remainder of our body. Just as the skin is itchy and dry once we’ve worked out and we are required to properly remove make-up at the end of each day for the healthiest skin possible, in the same way our scalp can remain clogged and age our hair if we do not look after it well following heavy fitness activity. Therefore since we are not neglecting to clean our bodies scrupulously, let’s not forget to take proper care of our scalp.

Ok…Now to perform a Smooth & Speedy Regiment note that it will be required to wash your hair after activity that causes you to sweat. Often times that is following an awesome Zumba or Spinning class session or even Body Sculpting class. However for those days where the focus is on strength training, or perhaps basic yoga, and there is little or no perspiration, take the day off. Additionally, ensure that you use a clarifying shampoo and execute one application. Since your hair-washing-days will be increased, multiple washes are not necessary.

As a part of the recommended Smooth & Speedy Regiment consider Part1 – Hair-Washing:

First: Rinse your hair at the same time you rinse your body, in the shower

Second: As you lather your body, apply a clarifying shampoo. (Note: An acid-balanced shampoo is safe on your hair, scalp, and body, and it saves time).

Third: Rinse your hair and body.

Fourth: Apply a conditioner, and let it sit while lathering your body a 2nd time or perhaps shaving your legs. For long hair use about a quarter sized amount, medium length hair use a nickel sized amount and for short hair use no more than a dime sized amount.

Fifth: Rinse your hair as you rinse your body.

You are now clean and conditioned from head to toe.

As you are in the mode of caring for your hair as you care for your body, you will probably not be able to maintain a blown out or elaborate style during this time of cardio activity. However, there are some fabulous and easy styles that can be accomplished to retain the best-of-both-worlds.

Consider Smooth & Speedy RegimentPart 2 – Hair-Styling:

First: After shampooing the hair blot it with a towel or wrap the towel around your head while drying off.

Second: When dry and ready, remove the towel and apply a leave-in conditioner.

Third: Apply a hair sculptor or smoother to your hairline. If your hair is curly be sure to apply a hair moisturizer prior to the sculptor.

Fourth: Smooth your hair back and gather it into a ponytail.

Fifth: Spray holding or sculpting mist around hairline and wrap it with a satin scarf.

Sixth: If necessary, attach a hair piece such as a bun, fall, or drawstring ponytail.

Now you are ready for the following day or later that evening.

Of course, this is only one option among many for a Smooth and Speedy Regiment with regards to styling. It is all dependent on your hair type and current style. However, there are some key things to remember toward the goal of treating your hair well, as you also treat your body well…

Key Things To Remember:

Ensure that you rinse perspiration out of your hair following any physical activity with a strong water force. Be mindful to use a clarifying shampoo with a pH range between 4.5 and 5.5. Do be weary of conditioning shampoos, in this instance, as they they will cause buildup. Still, do apply the appropriate amount of moisturizer following your shampoo (but don’t over-do it) to off-set the number of hair washes and to maintain healthy hair. We recommend the light but nurturing Demorin Smoothing Serum. Get into a method of a quick and easy routine which works for you!

Finally, to quote Dr. Amy McMichael; “If you don’t have a healthy body then you aren’t going to have any hair to fix,”.

Go forth and be the Best-You-Ever! Happy 2013!

Leading up to the new year, and perhaps into the impending inauguration activities, leaves room for much contemplation about Hair, style options and even Hair Color choices. If you’re like me you have probably randomly chosen a hair color then after the process was over, wished that you had thought it through further. Luckily there is research available to assist us with making the best Hair Color choice possible, for us.

In identifying the best Hair Color, it is very helpful to consider one’s skin tone or complexion…Oh yes! This component results in producing results which truly makes us Amazingly Shine! The following are a few key notes toward selecting the best Hair Color for You, and me!

Dark Skin Tones

For dark-skinned tones, your natural hair color often tends to complement your skin extremely well…not to mention, your natural hair color guarantees the healthiest hair possible. However, when you are ready for that color change try a burgundy or deep-purple color, for a glorious you! Another consideration are subtle light-brown highlights, which will provide a glow on your face.

Medium-brown skin tones are often enriched by light-brown or red hair. Some brown-skinned people naturally have lighter hair while other similar individuals, do not. For either sub-group, dying one’s hair inappreciably a shade or two lighter, or electing a slightly red-toned hair color produces a new you! Other options for this skin tone include; dark blond or medium-red highlights. Highlights also enhance the hair’s natural tone extremely and minimizes the amount of chemicals used. In the main Pic above, Queen Latifah illustrates lighter brown highlights.

Here, Well-Rounded Talent, Queen Latifah with a dark-blond tone:

Entertainment Correspondent, Tanika Ray with red-toned hair color:

Light Skin Tones

For lighter skin tones, the hair color is often already somewhat faded, containing natural highlights. If this is your reality, using a shampoo with “brighteners” will provide a look of luster to your natural color, without the opportunity for damage due to chemicals from hair dye. Still, whatever your natural hair color, light brown skin tones mostly look best when subtle highlights are added, just a little bit lighter than your natural hair. However for a more expressive display, blond hair color will fashion a golden effect on your hair. This glamorous and bold effect will amplify your eyes, and facial features.

Ms. Beyonce Knowles as usual rocking the bold Blond Hair:

Olive Skin Tones

Further lighter-skinned complexions are often referred to as olive-like. Golden blond hair, throughout the entire coiffure instead of highlights, works well for people with this skin color. The stylish aura this hair color provides will make you appear vibrant and vivacious. Light brown hair also looks great with olive and paler skin, but the lighter the hair color, the more your face will glow and eyes will shine.

There is no disputing that Virgin hair, in any texture, is beautiful in all its Glory. However, it does have the tendency over time to become dull, weighed down, and lose its luster from the first time it was installed. Our initial response usually is; “OMG! This hair should have lasted a lot longer than this” And it can with the proper attention, your extensions can last for….well, 6 months and beyond.

Unfortunately we have to say it…The primary reason why virgin hair extensions don’t last as long as they can, is due to user error. Virgin hair requires more effort to care for, compared to your average beauty supply type.

Just like your skin, your hair is exposed to the all the outdoor elements therefore it needs to be cleaned regularly. Once a week will suffice. Too often individuals are of the notion that if they are not putting product in their hair, or only sparingly, that their hair is not dirty. Still there are other factors at play like street Dust, various forms of dirt and other pollutants on a daily basis from the unavoidable sources. Clarifying shampoos work great once a month to remove build-up like this, but don’t use it too often, or you’ll end up with very dry locks.

For many who wash their hair on a on-going basis, they often neglect another important factor – the conditioner!! Please don’t let this be your error. Moisture is comparative to nutrition for your hair. Ensuring that you get your required dose of moisture can be done by purchasing a great moisturizing conditioner and using it every time you wash. A leave-in conditioner is another option. The best choice for this is the Dermorin Smoothing Serum. It offers without weighing the hair down.

As far as daily care, be careful about using too many products (and a variety of brands). Less is more, as our Grand-mothers or Mothers often tell us. Still if you insist on using product, be sure to use alcohol-free and non-greasy or oily ones. Either of these product can cause extreme damage to the hair.

So you’ve got the hair that you have been longing for, saved up for, and invested in – for some time now. The next step, adding some color….right? Well if this is the next phase for you please be sure to visit your hair stylist (or hair technician) to professionally apply the color(or colors) of your choice to your well researched – top quality hair.

The hair experts and style forecasters have declared that the Hot hair Colors for Fall 2012 are Honey Blonde, Golden Red or Golden Strawberry, Cinnamon or Copper, Chestnut Brown, Rich Chocolate Brown and Deep Brown. Whatever shade you choose to implement, according to your sense of style and personality, is just alright! Whether one solid color or a two-tone Ombre look.

Regardless of your taste, after you have gotten your desired color, today we want to talk about ways to keep your hair “ablaze” in between colorings. They are simple at home functions to maintain your color and not allow it to dim – before you want it to. Below we itemize some tips to do just that:

1) At-home Glaze: Acquire a Hair Color Glaze or Glaze Shine Rinse from your local Cosmetic, Beauty or even Drug store. In addition to maintaining your color, Glazes can help with smoothing your tresses, and provide moisture to the virgin hair. This keeps your color shiny and bright so it lasts longer and looks better. The Glaze Rinse also works to prevent color fading thus prolonging the life of your fresh tone.

2) Choose Shampoos intentionally: “Color Shield” Shampoos, Clarifying Shampoos and Tinted Dry Shampoos also do the trick. The ingredients within “Color Shield” Shampoos purposely boosts shine to the hair via the nutrients placed to protect and nurture the hair. Clarifying Shampoos are marginally more alkaline than ordinary shampoos, containing an ingredient that cuts through product build up (such as sprays, gels, oils etc.) and extract the hair’s glow. Finally, if this “floats your boat” you can also acquire Tinted Dry Shampoos. For those weeks where you couldn’t get to everything on your “TO DO LIST”; freshen up, and bolster the color on your hair, all at once.

3) Deep Conditioning Treatments: Yes, your hair extensions are worthy of the care that you give your own hair. Particularly, the high standard hair acquired at ONYC®. Deep Treatments are absent of ammonia, that can strip the hair, but instead offer minerals that can boost moisture and shine thus leaving the hair glistening.

4) At home, affordable and in your medicine cabinet: Surprise, Surprise!…Hydrogen Peroxide can be used to brighten the hair and can be applied in the following ways…

Mix a 50/50 solution of Hydrogen Peroxide with water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray it on your wet hair and comb through it. Leave on your hair for about 15 minutes then be sure to rinse. You should have all-over lightening. If you do not notice a difference immediately, use peroxide continually over time, if it does not illuminate your hair the way you want it to at first – Some people’s hair takes longer to brighten than others – you may have to repeat the process a few times until you are pleased with the result.

If you are only seeking to alter the color of parts of your hair; select specific strands to color rather than your whole head. Apply straight peroxide to these strands when wet and rinse it after 15 minutes.

Now it is very important that you apply a deep-conditioning treatment to your hair after you lighten it with hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide is very drying to your hair and can even cause breakage. Take it from me, I use this technique and can confirm this.

Still, always remember that if you are not comfortable with experimenting with “home remedies”, to consult a professional hair stylist…Don’t even chance it.

Oh Yeah! …Cause it’s Friday, we have a Special Bonus Tip for You! :0)

….However you intend to style your hair; whether straightening, curling or otherwise, applying product 10 minutes prior allows it to absorb into your hair and provide stellar results at the final outcome. Cheers!

Kim Kardashian is seen here sporting the Ombre hair fashion, lightening to the tip from a

“rich brown” to “golden tones”.

Television personality Tanika Ray is rocking some fiery red or “strawberry” tones.

The ever beautiful Supermodel and Business Tycoon, Tyra Banks is not afraid to “shine” with her blonde hues.

We couldn’t help but notice that more and more Black women are unashamedly embracing the natural hair look. Even celebrities, such as Solange Knowles, are proudly displaying their God given coif.

Therefore what are the processes of this transition? Well, there are a number of them.

In the past, to go from Relaxed to Natural hair many women would “snip, snip” and cut off all of their processed hair. Thus patiently sporting short hair for the necessary duration. However more recently, women are adopting new options such as wearing wigs, weaves and extensions. Women are also choosing to use natural textured extensions, to incorporate into their hair to provide density and body.

Still – all in all – it is important to remember to regularly shampoo one’s hair, oil the scalp and massage it, as well as apply a leave-in conditioner on the hair before preparing it for weave techniques – even wigs. These steps keep the hair hydrated and scalp circulated while hibernating. Furthermore once the new style is in place, continue to massage the scalp. Finally, it is imperative to keep the hair ends clipped in between styles.

Here at ONYC we have various options, if you’re transitioning to natural hair or would like to incorporate natural hair extensions for volume. Our customers have repeatedly informed us how the Mongolian Kinky Curly 3B-3C effortlessly blends with their own hair without detection by onlookers. Our Curly Addiction 3B is also quite popular with its lush full bodied curls. You can also go for a wavy hair appearance with our Body Wavy 2A. However, what ever your goal – to enhance or to transition – we have the diversity of options for you.

Back in the day when haircare ads were specifically focused on making your hair shiny, straight, bouncy and dyed. It’s amazing how the products have evolved from bad to good or even worse than when they first surfaced. We found some ads of Ultra Sheen to Hair Strate; check them out.